I mentioned in my first post back from hiatus that I'm in the new manager-training program at work. What I didn't mention is that I was also elected by the staff in my store to be their new union representative. This is a volunteer position and most of what I do is conflict resolution, which means the staff complains a lot about anything and everything that has nothing to do with the contract that we all have to sign in order to work there. If they would actually take the time to read the contract before coming to me with their nonsense, they would know that I can't do anything about 99% of their complaints.Needless to say, not only do I have to explain the collective agreement to everyone, but I also have to tell them that their claims are not justifiable or worth the embarrassment. I wonder when they approach me if they have put any thought into the request they are about to hand me. I think not!!!
Anyway, I was sent to take a course to get my steward certificate to be on the negotiation committee for our new contract that takes effect this month. Afterwards, the head union steward told me to come up with five or more important negotiation items that the employees should receive in this new contract, so I did and he approved my suggestions. We then nominated one person in every department to speak to their staff and write down some suggestions that they wanted us to consider and possibly discuss when we sit down with the company to start negotiating terms. Well, as you can probably imagine, what they asked for was nowhere near realistic.
Check out this list:
1. A couple of sofas, a TV and an Xbox in the lunchroom
Right, so you guys can find other ways not to do your jobs? Not gonna happen.
2. A window in the lunchroom
FYI, our lunch room is in the middle of the store, so unless we tunnel through to the outside, this can't happen either.
3. A bigger men's bathroom
Seriously, guys? Exactly how many of you are in there at one time? Are 2 urinals and 2 stalls really not enough??
4. Three extra 5 minute smoke breaks
WTF? They already take smoke breaks whenever they h*ll they want without clocking out, so why even bother asking for this??
5. A Tim Horton’s coffee machine so we don't have to walk across the street to buy coffee
As if we can get an actual Tim Horton's coffee machine. WTF, people? How about you guys buy some Tim's coffee and brew it in the lunch room yourselves, idiots!
6. Weekends off
Sure, the customers can serve themselves on Saturday or Sunday. Genius idea, morons!
7. Casual Friday’s... no uniforms at all
The words "at all" were underlined 10 times, so I guess this one is really important. LOL
8. A choice between hairnets and hats, or no hairnets at all would be preferable.
We work with food, people. You guys seriously think this is going to be approved?
9. More heat in the store because it's really cold
Believe it or not, I actually agree with this one, but it won't happen. Wear more layers, people!!
10. Free shoes
Never going to happen. Besides, the free uniforms they give us are crap, so can you imagine what kind of shoes we'd get if they went for this idea?
11. Store closed on Sunday
Hahaha!! In case you guys forgot, the government decided stores should be open on Sunday's, not us.
- JB
lol.. thats a funny list of suggestions but honestly if any company is giving all of that i am joining it :D
ReplyDeleteWow! That's a whole level of bright ideas, but in all fairness where I used to work had pool tables and a beer keg. Maybe they should ask for a keg and then everything else will seem reasonable.
ReplyDelete"Maybe they should ask for a keg and then everything else will seem reasonable."
ReplyDeleteHaha! Travel, that cracked me up. :)
@Pooja me too...lolol. I hope we get more money and some heat.
ReplyDeleteHuggs
JB
@Travel I want to work with you and have some beers.
ReplyDeleteHuggs
JB
@Eddy you make me lol...cheers!!
ReplyDeleteHuggs
JB
Kind of sounds like where I work. We don't have Union though. It's a federal job BUT my job is contracted out so I get less than they do for doing the same work. How about them apples? I'm happy to have a job though.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you for becoming involved with this. Now you can really see what kinds of idiots your co-workers are.
ReplyDeleteI had to write up a part time employee the other day for not getting her work done. She suggested that she could catch up if someone else did her work when she wasn't there.
I don't consider myself the brightest bulb in the bunch until someone else speaks.
@Chrissy I can't believe some of the things people want. I have written up a few people over the last month and let me tell you something they are still being idiots. Thanks for always stopping.
ReplyDeleteHuggs
Carla
@julie me too I am very happy to have a job. I know sometimes we forget how lucky we are. Have a good one.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Jb
I also think that what they asked for was realistic.
ReplyDeleteHello stranger. Oh this list takes me back to when I was a union delegate. Hardest job in the world. People have so many expectations about what is possible that common sense goes out the window. Th elist of ideas is incredible, but not surprising. People are ridiculous at times. Hope you are well and thriving.
ReplyDelete@Lilly nice to hear from you. It has been a long time. I'm so happy you are still blogging. Yes being a union rep is not an easy task but someone has to do it. I enjoy the people and the insane things they want. Thanks so much for dropping in on me.
ReplyDeleteHuggs,
JB